Edgy punk burns up the atmosphere

There are many factors that make for a great gig, but last Thursday's sold-out show had something special going for it a good hour before Lismore's Grinspoon even came on stage. Something for which you can't plan or rehearse. Something you can't buy: atmosphere.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, you could actually feel it in the Metro. The buzz of anticipation in the bar areas and especially, naturally, the main room was palpable. Not only did the predominantly uni-age boys and girls here expect a good show, they absolutely, positively knew they were going to get one.

Presumably Grinspoon felt that excitement, too, for they did not disappoint. Singer Phil Jamieson slouched onto the stage, spitting cigarette smoke and looking deceptively surly, before guitarist Pat Davern let rip with the first of the exhilarating beefy, choppy riffs that dominated the set, propelled by Christian Hopes's crisp, vital drumming. Jamieson is a terrific frontman and was even better as the gig progressed, his visibly increasing enjoyment proving contagious. Although there were times when the fact that he was actually singing - and singing well - seemed a little out of place, given the nu-punk thrashing going on around him, it merely added to the performance. (You can be an adept musician and still be "authentic".) Plus, with bassist Joe Hansen working the crowd alongside him, intermittently saluting them with the sign of the devil and a grin, there's a very real bond between band and audience.

The set itself was appropriately crowd-pleasing, too. Rock Show surfed past early on, a rush of riffs and beats; the anthemic More Than You Are was suitably buoyant; and somewhere between them the gig peaked with a transfixing Chemical Heart, Grinspoon's very own Under the Bridge-style, would-be breakthrough worldwide smash.");document.write("

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The first of two encores showcased the band's versatility, with a soulful, almost bluesy, acoustic track followed by a sharp shard of rap metal, before a rare second return to the stage for a final thrash through All the Time had Jamieson joyfully shouting, "Would you be loud all the time?" to a thoroughly satisfied Metro audience.

So, taking into account Grinspoon's songs, energy and attitude, as well as their synergy with a young, eager crowd, it's clear the spirit of punk is alive and well in Australia.

Better yet, there's a certain thrill to be had seeing people come out and celebrate it.